^Lot 1271 Very Fine R.A.C. Inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver

This Colt U.S. Contract Single Action Cavalry Revolver was manufactured in 1891. The revolver was purchased by the Ordnance Department as part of the final contract for 2000 Colt Single Action Revolvers dated September 19, 1890. The last U.S. contract Single Action revolver was serial number, 140316. The Ordnance Sub-Inspector for these revolvers was Rinaldo A. Carr; his "R.A.C." inspection mark is stamped on many of the revolver components. The revolver has the Colt military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The hammer, frame and loading gate have a casehardened finish. The one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The ejector rod head is the late oval pattern introduced on Cavalry Single Actions about serial number 113,000. The hammer is the Cavalry pattern with elongated knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the elongated block letter address "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.-" in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Two-Line/Three-Date" patent markings followed by the "U.S" property mark. The assembly number "1989" is stamped on the loading gate. The revolver has all the correct Ordnance and Colt inspection and Sub-Inspection marks. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a "P" proof mark and the "R.A.C." sub-inspection mark. A "P" proof and "R.AC." are stamped on the cylinder. A small "R.A.C." Sub-Inspector's mark is stamped on the bottom of the frame above the serial number. A "K" Colt inspection mark is stamped below the serial number on the trigger guard and back strap. "K" and "O" are stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The full serial number, "140094" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "0094" is stamped on the underside of the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date "1891" over the script "SEB" initials of the Ordnance Final Inspector Capt. Stanhope E. Blunt. The initials are enclosed in a rectangle with rounded ends. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the script initials "RAC" surrounded by a rectangle with rounded ends. A small "R.A.C." Sub-Inspection mark is stamped on the left grip heel.
BBL: 7 1/2 Inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 140094
Condition: Very fine. The revolver retains 80% plus of the original blue and 60% casehardened finish. The "feathered" polishing marks are visible on the barrel on either side of the front sight blade and above the ejector housing stud. Nearly all of the blue finish on the barrel is intact; the only significant wear is some light finish loss at the muzzle and some scattered and insignificant age spotting along the top and sides of the barrel. The blue finish on the ejector housing is thin on the contact points. The cylinder has about 70% of the original blue finish with bright blue in the flutes and some age spotting and very minor pitting above the chambers. The trigger guard and back strap have 85% or more of the blue finish intact. The blue finish is thin on the lower edges of the back strap and grip strap and there are a number of shallow dents in the butt. The frame, loading gate and hammer have nearly 90% of the original casehardened finish intact. The casehardened finish has a gray-brown patina with some light age discoloration; strong case colors are present on the sides of the hammer and in protected areas of the frame and loading gate. The frame screws have nearly all of the niter blue finish and remain in very good condition. The grip is in very good condition; the date and Ordnance inspection marks are all legible. Wear is limited to some minor scratches on the butt. The action is crisp and tight although the hammer will not hold at half-cock. This is a very fine and completely original example of one of the very last Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolvers manufactured for the U.S. Army.